Sheridan Smith: Becoming Mum

ITV

28 Aug

With unprecedented access to actress and singer Sheridan Smith (“Cilla”, “Mrs Biggs”, “The C Word’) and her partner Jamie, this hour-long documentary tells the deeply personal and intimate story of her pregnancy and mental health struggles, past and present, as she prepares to become a mum for the first time.

It is thought that as many as one in three women experience mental health issues in pregnancy and in the months that follow. It’s a subject that holds huge personal meaning for Sheridan, as she reveals aspects of her own story that she has never spoken about before. Having had mental health issues in the past, she worries that she could suffer with pre or post-natal depression or that in her words “the wheels could come off”.

The documentary follows Sheridan as she attends her first scans, pre-natal classes and meets a psychiatrist who specialises in mental health during and after pregnancy.

She and her partner, Jamie, are filmed at home as they talk openly of their excitement and nerves about becoming parents. While preparing for her new arrival, Sheridan talks extensively about her own mental health and explores what help is available for other pregnant women and new mums. She visits a group of parent volunteers who provide crucial, emotional support for other mums-to-be. And we follow her as she makes the brave decision to try therapy for the first time and has an emotional and revealing first session.

The Covid-19 crisis strikes just as Sheridan reaches the last two months of pregnancy. She and Jamie decide to film themselves with humour and honesty. In lockdown, Sheridan describes the downturn in her own mental health and just before the baby arrives she reaches an important personal turning point.

The documentary ends with the arrival of their baby and intimate early moments of them as a family together at home.

If you’ve been affected by the issues in this documentary or are experiencing mental health issues during pregnancy or after birth, there are many sources of support and help for you. You can click on the links on this page to go direct to the sites

SUPPORT PAGE - Sheridan Smith: Becoming Mum

NHS Support: Talking to your midwife or doctor

During pregnancy, you can talk to your midwife, GP or health visitor at any time if you're worried about your mental health.
Don't be afraid to tell your midwife or health visitor how you're feeling. This can help them to identify if you are unwell or might become unwell.

For more information on mental health relating to pregnancy:
https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/...

NHS therapy and counselling:
Therapy and counselling are widely available on the NHS. You can ask for a referral through your GP or self-refer:
https://www.nhs.uk/service-sea...

Crisis support

If you or someone you are concerned about are in crisis, despairing or suicidal, please contact one of the agencies below.
If you live in the UK and are looking for extra support or advice urgently, there are a number of services you can approach:
• Talk to a health professional e.g your own GP, midwife or health visitor
• Go to A&E at your local hospital
• Call the emergency services on 999
• Call Samaritans on 116 123 (free to call and will not appear on your phone bill)
Or email: jo@samaritans.org
Samaritans volunteers answer each email that comes through
Web: www.samaritans.org

Maternal Mental Health Alliance:
The Maternal Mental Health Alliance (MMHA) is a charity and coalition of UK organisations with a vision to see all women across the UK get consistent, accessible and quality care and support for their mental health during pregnancy and in the year after giving birth. The website provides information and links, including specific advice during the Covid-19 pandemic.

https://maternalmentalhealthal...
https://maternalmentalhealthal...

PANDAS
The PANDAS Foundation is here to help support and advise any parent and their networks who need support with perinatal mental illness. We are also here to inform and guide family members, carers, friends and employers as to how they can support someone who is suffering.
• Helpline: 0808 1961 776. Open Monday – Sunday 11am-10pm
• PANDAS Email Support: info@pandasfoundation.org.uk available 365 days a year. We’ll respond within 72 hours. Please get in touch if you’d like any more information regarding perinatal mental illness or are looking for support for yourself or your partner, friend or colleague.
• PANDAS Foundation Facebook Page Our PANDAS Social Media team are online seven days a week, keeping you inspired, motivated and informed with current news and reports on perinatal mental health.
• PANDAS Dads Facebook Page Developed to support partners and carers affected by perinatal mental illness, our PANDAS Dads volunteers are on hand to offer support and information seven days a week.
• PANDAS Support Groups: Our PANDAS Support Groups offer a fantastic opportunity to meet up with other parents affected by perinatal mental illness. Our team of PANDAS Support Group Leaders are on hand to provide information about local activities and services, whilst also offering support and advice. To find your local group call or email us.
Follow us: Instagram / Facebook / Twitter

Netmums
Netmums offer peer support via their Maternal Mental Health Drop-In Clinic.

Local support organisations
Netmums provide a search by area or postcode
By area or postcode

Association of Postnatal Illness
Helpline: 10am – 2pm – 0207 386 0868
Email: info@apni.org
Live chat available online

Best Beginnings
Free NHS-accredited Baby Buddy app offering evidence-based information and self-care tools to help parents during pregnancy and early stages of parenting.

App users also have access to a confidential, text-based Crisis Messenger which provides 24/7 support for new and expectant parents who are feeling anxious or overwhelmed.

Action on Postpartum Psychosis (APP)
Moderated Forum, click here to find out more.

One-to-one messaging available through the site, just register here

Email: app@app-network.org

Voluntary Parent Peer Support Programmes:
These are local programmes that train parents as volunteers to help other parents through pregnancy and the first months after birth:

Parents 1st
https://parents1st.org.uk/?gcl...

Ripplez – Derby
https://www.ripplez.co.uk/derb...

RUNTIME:
46 Minutes

PRODUCER:
Rachel Cumella

DIRECTOR:
Tanya Stephan

EXECUTIVE PRODUCER:
Brian Woods

RELEASED:
2020